Nonverbal Communication
Nonverbal Communication
Nonverbal communication is defined as “behavior, other than spoken or written communication, that creates or represents meaning”. This behavior includes facial expressions, gestures, body movements, mood/emotion, and even attitude. As a society, either through conscious choice or subconscious unawareness we communicate nonverbally everyday often in conjunction with our verbal communications. Let us examine the importance of nonverbal communication to the interpersonal process as well as identifying components of nonverbal communications.
There are several dimensions associated with communication. Traditional dimensions of nonverbal communication include physical appearance, territory and personal space, facial expressions, gestures and posture, vocal cues, time, eye contact, and touch. Kinesics, haptics, proxemics, and paralinguistics encompass the majority of these components.
Kinesics
Kinesics is defined as the study of nonlinguistic body movements, such as gestures and facial expressions, as a systematic mode of communication. A gesture it is said can be worth a thousand words or perhaps the expression if looks could kill sums it up best- facial expressions and gestures have as much meaning in our society as words and can be just as powerful. An iconic piece of American history is the image of a very young John F. Kennedy, Jr. saluting as his father’s hearse passes by. The picture is still powerful more than 25 years later and words are not necessary to convey meaning.
Haptics
Derived from the Greek word haptikos which means to touch or grasp, Haptics is another form of nonverbal communication. Touch can be used to communicate affection, familiarity, sympathy and other emotions.
Proxemics
Proxemics is the study of space and our use of space in interpersonal communication. Territory in proxemics is identified as physical and personal. Everyone has their own personal territory or bubble of space where they are
Nonverbal communication is defined as “behavior, other than spoken or written communication, that creates or represents meaning”. This behavior includes facial expressions, gestures, body movements, mood/emotion, and even attitude. As a society, either through conscious choice or subconscious unawareness we communicate nonverbally everyday often in conjunction with our verbal communications. Let us examine the importance of nonverbal communication to the interpersonal process as well as identifying components of nonverbal communications.
There are several dimensions associated with communication. Traditional dimensions of nonverbal communication include physical appearance, territory and personal space, facial expressions, gestures and posture, vocal cues, time, eye contact, and touch. Kinesics, haptics, proxemics, and paralinguistics encompass the majority of these components.
Kinesics
Kinesics is defined as the study of nonlinguistic body movements, such as gestures and facial expressions, as a systematic mode of communication. A gesture it is said can be worth a thousand words or perhaps the expression if looks could kill sums it up best- facial expressions and gestures have as much meaning in our society as words and can be just as powerful. An iconic piece of American history is the image of a very young John F. Kennedy, Jr. saluting as his father’s hearse passes by. The picture is still powerful more than 25 years later and words are not necessary to convey meaning.
Haptics
Derived from the Greek word haptikos which means to touch or grasp, Haptics is another form of nonverbal communication. Touch can be used to communicate affection, familiarity, sympathy and other emotions.
Proxemics
Proxemics is the study of space and our use of space in interpersonal communication. Territory in proxemics is identified as physical and personal. Everyone has their own personal territory or bubble of space where they are